Oh Really?

Catscape reveals that Mae Magouirk may not actually have been in any danger. (He has the roundup.)

This won't stop me from fighting against the growth of the kill-the-inconvenient movement in this country, but I wonder if Ken Mullinax has ever heard the tale of the boy who cried wolf?

I can honestly say that in this case, I have erred, but it was in the interest of life. The facts, as they were presented, made it seem that an elderly woman's advance directives were being ignored because a granddaughter decided that her myriad health conditions were too much and "who would want to live like that". Let me suggest that it may be errant for people to say that it's best to let someone 'go be with Jesus' when the human under discussion isn't terminal.

The Gods call us all home when it's time, and when that moment comes, no amount of supportive equipment is going to keep a human functioning in the flesh.

BREAKING: Mae Is Receiving Nourishment

BlogsforTerri has breaking news: Mae has been taken out of the hospice, and airlifted to hospital, where she is currently receiving nourishment.

However.

Her granddaughter is still trying to block efforts to save her life.

I know it's hard to reach officials on the weekend, but keep your eyes peeled, your prayers lifting, and your efforts ongoing. This is encouraging, but we haven't seen the end of the woods just yet.

The details on Mae Magouirk

WorldNet Daily has the whole story so far.

This woman has been hanging on since March 28^th.

Action Items:
Call:
Attorney General of the State of Georgia: Thurbert E. Baker
Phone: 404-656-3300
Fax: 404-657-8733
(He has no email. He must be contacted directly. Fax is preferable.)

Deputy Attorney General
Mary Beth Westmoreland
Criminal Justice Division
Phone: 404-656-3349
Fax: 404-651-6459

Georgia House of Representatives

Georgia Division of Aging Services
404-657-5258

Office of Mayor Jeff Lukken
LaGrange, GA
Phone: 706-883-2010
Fax: 706-883-2020

Sherri has more.

BlogsforTerri has correspondence from the family to add perspective.

What is aortic dissection?
ANS: From Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia:

Aortic dissection is a condition in which there is bleeding into and along the wall of the aorta (the major artery from the heart). This condition may also involve abnormal widening or ballooning of the aorta (aneurysm).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Aortic dissection involves bleeding into and along the wall of the aorta (the major artery from the heart), most often because of a tear or damage to the inner wall of the artery. This usually occurs in the thoracic (chest) portion of the aorta, but may also occur in the abdominal portion.

The exact cause is unknown, but risks include atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and high blood pressure. Traumatic injury is a major cause of aortic dissection, especially blunt trauma to the chest as can be caused by hitting the steering wheel of a car during an accident.

Aortic dissection may also be associated with other injury, infection, congenital (present from birth) weakness of the aorta, collagen disorders (such as Marfan's syndrome, pseudoxanthoma elasticum, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, relapsing polychondritis, or abdominal aortic aneurysm). Pregnancy, valve disorders (including aortic insufficiency), and coarctation of the aorta may also be associated with aortic dissection.

Aortic dissection occurs in approximately 2 out of every 10,000 people. It can affect anyone, but is most often seen in men aged 40 to 70.

Please see the article for the full discussion.

Let's keep something in mind: this woman is AWARE of what's going on. She is not comatose. She is not brain-damaged. There is no question that she is experiencing every single minute of her privation.

Now get off your butt and help me do something about this.

ALERT: Mae Magouirk in Georgia.

UPDATE: Sherri has a little more detail.

I'm still unsure what, exactly, is going on here, but have decided ( again invoking the catchphrase) to "err on the side of life".

As I learn more, I shall let you know.
__________________________________________

She is not comatose, she is not vegetative, she is not terminal, and she is being starved and dehydrated to death.

BlogsforTerri has the alert here (with updates verifying its veracity), with immediate action items here.

I said Never Again, and I meant it.

The data that I have so far is from the post at BlogsforTerri. Points:
1. Mae is 85 years old, but is not terminal -- she has an aortic dissection, however, which her doctor says is contained.
2. Mae is not brain damaged or comatose.
3. Mae has a Living Will, stating that she wishes to be maintained.

She was moved to hospice by her granddaughter, who stated that she holds Mae Magourik's medical power of attorney, and who stated that her wishes for her grandmother are 'no nourishment'.

The hospice's in-house attorney checked Mrs. Magouirk's case file, and upon examining relevant documents, determined that the granddaughter does not have the durable power of attorney, and that Mae's Living Will ascertains that fluids and nourishment are only to be withheld is she slips into a coma or falls into a vegetative state.

According to the post at BlogsforTerri, Mae is alert.

This does beg a couple of questions:
1. If the hospice has determiend that the granddaughter does not hold power of attorney, and that an aware and competent patient desires treatment, why is Mae in danger? Why do they not simply provide nourishment, albeit in intubated form at this time?

2. Where are the police? If this as it appears, and we have a clear-cut case of patient abuse perpetrated by people without the legal authority to make decisions for her, why has she not been removed from danger?

I will try to get answers to these questions, and a complete understanding of the issue as the day progresses. I will update as I learn more. Please see the relevant post at BlogsforTerri for more detail.

Living Will vs. Will to Live

Based on this discussion, I thought it appropriate to post links to samples of both a Living Will and a Will to Live.

Please note the different approach of each, and evaluate according to your own philosophy. After comparing the differences in language, I shall be discussing a Will to Live with my husband tonight.